Peter Lopez Jr.'s Blog: Xulon Press Blog , page 24

Literary-Themed Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day date ideas range from fancy nights out on the town or a low-key night at home, and no matter how you spend your night—or who you’re with—the day is about celebrating the love you are surrounded with. But putting a literary-themed spin on your Valentine’s Day date plans is bound to make any book lover happy.

If you’re looking for a date idea to make your Valentine’s Day extra special, here are eight ideas to inspire you:

Take a trip to a local bookstore and each pick out a book for the other.

Not only do you get to spend time meandering the aisles of a bookstore together (you’re already winning the day with this one), but you also get to open each other’s eyes to a new book. Take time to each pick out a book for the other person. Maybe you choose your absolute favorite book to share with your special someone or you reach for a new release in their favorite genre. If you’re really feeling gutsy, try choosing a book for your significant other that they wouldn’t pick out on their own.

Attend an event together.

From poetry readings to author book signings, there are tons of literary events to choose from. Plan a date that includes one of these literary events and you’re sure to be a Valentine’s Day winner.

Watch your favorite movie adaption of a book.

Snag your favorite snacks from the store, pop some popcorn, and bake your favorite dessert, then hunker down for a cozy date night on the couch and watch your favorite movie adaptation of a book. Afterward, discuss which was better: the movie or the book.

Take a long weekend trip and tour the home of a famous American author.

No matter where you may live in the United States, you might be within driving distance of a well-known author’s home that’s open for tours. Take a step back in time, see where a great American novel was penned, and enjoy the quality time together

Some of the most notable author home tours include:

Ernest Hemingway’s home in Key West, Florida
Flannery O’Connor’s home in Milledgeville, Georgia
Margaret Mitchell’s home in Atlanta, Georgia
Thomas Wolfe’s home in Asheville, North Carolina
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home in Mansfield, Missouri
William Faulkner’s home in Oxford, Mississippi
Herman Melville’s home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Jack London’s home in Glen Ellen, California
John Steinbeck’s home in Salinas, California
Mark Twain’s home in Hartford, Connecticut
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s home in Hartford, Connecticut

Have a coffee and reading date.

Grab your current read and your date and head to a coffee shop. You can share a snack, sip on your go-to coffee drink and spend time together while you both read. Then, you can talk about your books for some quality, one-on-one time.

Read a book together, alternating who reads aloud.

Choose a book to read together and take turns reading the book to each other until you finish it. This date night is great because you get several dates out of it and you’ll have someone to chat with about the story.

Buy a new cookbook and make dinner together.

There is a cookbook out there for every skill level and cuisine, so don’t feel intimidated when it comes to choosing a cookbook. Once you and your significant other have chosen a cookbook, take time skimming through the recipes to find some you want to try. Head to the grocery store to buy your ingredients, then spend the evening cooking together in the kitchen.

Go to the theater and see your favorite play come to life.

Even if you only have access to a local theater, going to see a play is a great Valentine’s Day date. Whether it’s Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, or a lesser-known playwright, you and your date will enjoy a live-action play and a night out.

Still on the hunt for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the book lover in your life? Read Love & Letters: The Perfect Books for a Valentine’s Day Gift for more inspiration.

The post Literary-Themed Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day appeared first on Xulon Press Blog, Christian Self-Publishing.

How to Grow as a Writer This Year

You don’t want to be a mediocre writer. You want to be a truly amazing writer! Do you know how attainable that goal can be? (Hint: it’s super attainable.) Becoming an amazing writer is all about putting in the work and growing as a writer. And you are capable of both.

Better writing comes from doing the work, not how many books you sell or the number of followers you have on Instagram. While both of those are great outward statistics, they will never make you a better writer. That’s something only you can do on your own. And where we come in; here are our eight tips to grow as a writer this year.

Examine your work.

Take your work under your own microscope and pick it apart. Make notes of what you do really well and mark areas you can still improve on. Use your own notes as your baseline to measure your growth as a writer this year.

Get feedback.

You don’t have to send your manuscript off to an agent to get feedback on your work. From joining a writing group to having a go-to writer friend who is willing to read your work to one of our critique services, there are plenty of ways you can receive helpful feedback on your work.

Take a class.

You don’t have to spend an entire weekend away at a writer’s retreat or conference to take a writing class. Do some research. You may discover you have local writing classes in your area. Writer’s Digest and Skillshare also offer tons of writing classes online.

Focus on confidence.

Work to grow your confidence as a writer this year. You’ll see the most growth when you believe in yourself and what you are capable of doing. 

Expand your genres.

Learning to write a different genre is a great way to expand your capabilities. Remember, not everything you write has to be published. Take the time to study other genres and try your hand at them. Writing is about trial and error. So, give it a try and see how you’re able to improve your writing by having a more well-rounded approach.

Study writing.

Read books about writing and you’re sure to pick up some helpful tips from writing greats like Stephen King, Anne Lamott, and more. Once you read about other authors’ approaches to writing, you’ll better learn how to embrace your own writing.

Increase your writing speed.

One of the easiest ways to see improvement in your writing is to increase your writing speed. It’s not uncommon for writers to hit 1,000 words in one hour of writing. Not only does that require being distraction-free, but you also have to train yourself to freely write without pausing to edit. To increase your writing speed, start with smaller writing sprints and keep track of the number of words you’re able to complete during that time. The more writing sprints you complete, the more you’ll find you’re able to type more words in a shorter amount of time.

Set a personal writing challenge and finish.

Crossing the finish line on any writing project is always the end result, right? So, what better way to show growth as a writer this year than to finish a writing challenge you set for yourself? Your writing challenge doesn’t have to be an 80,000-word manuscript. You could choose to write a short story, a novella, or a specific number of blog posts. If you do set a goal of finishing your manuscript this year, know that we’re in your corner to help you get it published!

Do you notice a difference in your writing when you aim to grow in your craft? Read more of our writing advice to continue your writing growth.

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Overcoming Writer’s Fatigue

You’ve been pushing hard on your writing project lately, and while you’re seeing the fruits of your intense labor, you’re also starting to feel a little worn down. Writer’s fatigue can get the best of any of us, but it can be even worse if we don’t see it coming. Be on the lookout for these writer’s fatigue symptoms:

Annoyed with everything you write
Can’t focus on singular tasks
Don’t want to open your laptop
Foggy feeling headspace
Frustrated by a deadline
Lack of motivation
Negative and/or unclear thinking
Overall moodiness
Repetition appearing in your work
Sleepiness

Only displaying one of the symptoms above may not mean you’re on the verge of writer’s fatigue, but the more symptoms you have from the above list, the more likely it is you’re edging into the fatigue zone and need to make some adjustments.

Helpful Tips to Ward Off Writer’s Fatigue
Call a friend or family member.

Taking 15 to 30 minutes to chat with a loved one or best friend can soothe feelings of irritation. Video chats are even better than phone calls because you get to see the other person’s face. When they smile, you’ll be more inclined to smile yourself, which will improve your mood.

Diffuse uplifting essential oils.

Citrus scents like orange, lemon, and lime can help boost your spirits. Add a few drops of essential oils to a diffuser or place two drops on a napkin and inhale five deep breaths of the fresh scent. Between the deep breaths and the citrus scent, you may feel a bit more relaxed.

Eat something healthy.

Sometimes our bad mood stems from hunger or simply not eating the best foods. Snack on some protein-rich almonds and drink a full glass of water. Staving off hunger pains and hydrating may do the trick in reducing your sluggish feeling. 

Go for a walk outside.

Honestly, there’s nothing fresh air and sunshine can’t cure. If you’ve been inside for too many days in a row or the sky has been extra gloomy, get outside on a sunny day and go for a 30-minute walk. Leave your work behind and just enjoy the peace and quiet.

Play a game.

Round up a few of your favorite people and have a game night. No matter the game, you’re sure to have an evening full of laughter.

Re-evaluate your schedule.

Complete an evaluation of how you spent your time each day for the past week. You may notice you unintentionally worked yourself to the bone and you’re feeling the effects of it. Decide what you can trim out of your week to rebalance yourself.

Shut it down for the day.

There are days when no matter what you do, you just need to step away from your writing. Allow yourself to be okay with that and give yourself grace. Taking time away from your writing isn’t bad; torturing yourself by staring at a flashing cursor is bad.

Sip some caffeine.

Maybe you just need a boost of caffeine to jolt you back into a clear perspective. If that’s the case, don’t simply rush through your coffee break. Take your time brewing your coffee or tea, then sit for 5 or 10 minutes and just enjoy your drink. You don’t need to multitask everything.

Stretch it out.

If your shoulder and neck muscles are feeling tight, it’s a sure sign other parts of your body are tight as well and you just haven’t noticed. Walk yourself through a few yoga poses to stretch out your neck, shoulders, chest, back, and legs. Add in a short meditation to refocus on your breathing, too.

Take a bath.

Baths are luxurious because they are out of the norm. Oftentimes, we’re rushing through a shower so we can get out the door and onto our next task, but baths force us to stay in one place for a certain amount of time. The hot water helps loosen tight muscles and softens tension throughout your body. If you’re feeling extra tense, add some herbal salts and lavender oil.

Take a nap.

There are days when your brain just needs a break, and the best way to give that to yourself is to take a nap. Turn off all notifications, get cozy, and take a quick 30-minute nap.

Tend to your garden.

Spending time in nature is great for relieving feelings of anxiety and stress. Plus, gardening can equal a low-intensity workout. So, pull weeds from your favorite flower bed, spread out some new mulch, or plant some herbs and place them on your kitchen windowsill. You’ll be surprised by how much better you feel. Just be sure to ice those muscles if you do some heavy lifting in the garden.

Turn to pen and paper.

From our phones to our computer screens and every screen in between, we are constantly staring at a blue-lit screen. Check-in with yourself to see if you’re actually fatigued from writing or if you simply have fatigue from staring at a screen all day. Try writing with pen and paper and see if that improves your fatigue.

The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by your writing project, take a few moments to check in with yourself and see if you need to recalibrate using the methods above. If you try a handful of our suggestions and still feel writer’s fatigue setting in, know that it’s okay to take as much time away from your writing as you need. Your story will be there waiting for you.

Want more information on writing routines? Read our How Your Health Routine Impacts Your Writing Routine article next.

The post Overcoming Writer’s Fatigue appeared first on Xulon Press Blog, Christian Self-Publishing.

Apps Every Writer Should Have

These days, there is an app for just about anything a writer could possibly need. From productivity to organization to meditation or music – our phones help us do a lot. For writers, there are so many apps to help beat writer’s block, dictate voice recordings, find inspiration, and more. Here are our top app recommendations writers should use regularly.

1) Hemingway Editor

The Hemingway Editor can be used via the internet or as an app on your computer. With the Hemingway Editor, you add your text and will get a report of not only how clear and concise your writing is, but also the estimated reading level, total word count, the number of sentences that are hard to read, and more. This app is great for a first-time or novice writer who wants to improve their writing and understand exactly what needs to be fixed in a clear, color-coded method.

Visit: Hemingway Editor

2) Evernote

I love Evernote because it keeps my digital note-keeping organized. It can create different notebooks, copy and paste website text, save links, take notes, keep voice recordings, and more. The app syncs across all my devices as well. So, if I add a note in the app on my phone, I’ll see the same note when I open the app on my computer or tablet.

Visit: Evernote

3) Pomodoro Timer

The Pomodoro technique is a time management method that breaks work down into intervals. Essentially, you work for 25 minutes and take a break. Depending on how many tasks you’ve checked off, you either take a break for 3–5 minutes or 15–30 minutes. The more tasks you check off, the longer break you get to take. This method is said to increase productivity and reduce fogginess during your workday. There are tons of Pomodoro timer apps out there, so choose the one you like best. Then, break your writing down into 25-minute work blocks.

Download: Apple or Google Play

4) Google Drive

Backing up your manuscript in multiple places on a regular schedule should be at the top of your list. Google Drive is great because is serves as a backup system for you and all you need is a Google email address to use it. Plus, the drag and drop feature makes it a cinch to back up your work. With the Drive app, you can access your files from your computer, phone, or tablet and they all sync with each other.

Visit: Google Drive

5) Google Calendar

Another Google product I really love is the calendar. I’m a huge fan of time-blocking my schedule each week. I’ve learned to estimate exactly how much time I either need or want to dedicate to each task on my daily list and how many hours I want to work. Then, I color code the tasks onto my calendar by the type of task, set the amount of time I’ll work on the task, and that’s it. When it comes to doing the work, I stick to those time blocks, and I get a lot more done.

Visit: Google Calendar

6) Microsoft Word

There are many fancy, and pricey, book writing apps. Yet, Microsoft Word is all you really need. Any publisher is going to require a Word document of your manuscript for publication, so make it easier on yourself by creating your book in Word to start with.

Visit: Microsoft

7) Spotify

Whether you want to jam out to your favorite band, follow along with a meditation, play a podcast, or simply like to write to the sound of rain noises, you can achieve all of these through the Spotify app.

Visit: Spotify

8) Audible

Not only is there a huge benefit for writers to read a lot, but there’s an even bigger benefit to listening to books read aloud. Editors always recommend writers read their work out loud, so they can find repetitive words, awkward sentences, and misspellings. But listening to a well-written, published book is also a great learning tool. So, the next time you go to read a book, try listening to it as an audiobook instead.

Visit: Audible

9) Pinterest

Pinterest is a total treasure trove for writers. From location research and character building to writing prompts and advice, writers can find all the inspiration they need in one place.

Visit: Pinterest

10) Merriam-Webster Dictionary

There are times when we all struggle to think of the word we’re looking for, need a synonym, or want to expand our vocabulary a bit. Having the Merriam-Webster app on your phone helps in all three of those areas.

Visit: Merriam-Webster

As a writer, what app do you find yourself using most often as it relates to your writing? Want more? Read our other writing advice articles.

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5 Things Every Writer Needs to Do This Year

A new year has started and you’re more determined than ever to find a writing lifestyle that works for you. You are ready to write a book this year. So, what exactly do you need to have a successful writing year? Here are five things every writer needs to do to be productive this year.

Make a plan.

The best-laid intentions won’t get you anywhere if you don’t devise a plan. To reach your writing goals this year, create a detailed plan of the work you need to accomplish. Then, break that work down into smaller, action-oriented goals. Are you deciding how many chapters to write per month? Or, perhaps you’re honing your revision process. Build your plan out on paper and follow along for the year.

Join a writing group.

Just as you might feel more productive going to the gym with a workout partner, having a writing group can help keep you focused, dedicated to your work, and provide you with a great place to go for inspiration when writer’s block kicks in. The act of writing does not have to be an isolated experience. You can make it as social and engaging as you’d like. If a writing group doesn’t exist near you, start one yourself or join an online writing group.

Focus on self-motivation.

Staying motivated enough to sit down and write on a regular basis might be one of the most challenging aspects of the craft, but self-motivation is the only way you’ll meet your goals. Sticking to a writing schedule and employing a reward system can help motivate you on the days it feels hardest to get any writing done.

Build your social media presence.

The internet is an incredible place for writers to turn, and with the rise of social media, that’s even truer. Now it’s even easier to find like-minded writers who can become friends, beta readers to test your book with, and all the writing inspiration you could possibly need. Start building your social media presence and increase your engagement as soon as you start writing your book. That way, you’ll already have a built-in following of people who are chomping at the bit to read your book when it’s published. Need some help with social media? Follow our Instagram tips to get started.

Find your team.

Don’t wait until you’re done writing your book to find your editor, cover designer, and publishing team. Instead of rushing through the vetting process because you’re excited to get your book published, take time on the front end of your writing project to find partners you work well with and who will support you throughout your publishing journey. Being proactive in this area will really help you have a more productive year.

Xulon Press makes publishing your book easy because we have an expert team of editors, designers, and account specialists to help you fulfill your dream of becoming a published author. Call 866-381-2665 to speak with one of our publishing consultants and learn more about the publishing process.

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Navigating Your Best Year Yet

You are cruising into the second week of January with ease. You’ve stuck to your guns on your diet, your gym routine is starting to make sense, and your planners are effortlessly mapping out all of the things you want to tackle this month. What about those writing goals you set? Have you met that daily word count to were hoping for? 

Setting goals is really easy, sticking to them however, not so much. So, how do you stick to your proverbial guns this season? Simple. Start by setting realistic goals and remember to reward yourself along the way. In this post, we will navigate our three best tips for navigating your best year yet! 

1. Set Realistic Goals

Don’t set yourself up for failure, set yourself up for success! The best way to do that is to make sure you’re being realistic. The more reasonable your goals are, the easier they will be to achieve. Now I’m not saying that you’re never going to reach those bigger mile marks, I’m just saying that if you start small and build on them as you go, you’ll have a lot more small wins to celebrate along the way.

2. There’s a Time and a Place for Everything

With more than one goal on your resolution list, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed or let one of them fade out of view. Especially when you take into consideration the fact that some of your goals may be very different. For example, a health goal takes a different amount of time than a writing goal. Set aside specific times for each one of them.

3. Be Your Biggest Fan

Lastly, don’t be afraid to be your biggest fan. You are working hard to make this year one for the books, so let that show. Be proud of your writing, show off your new-found love for running. Don’t be ashamed of your growth—cheer yourself on, you are worth it.

What are your goals this year and how do you plan on achieving them? Let us know in the comment section below!

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2020 New Year’s Resolutions for Writers

Every year, we sit and write down our resolutions and goals for the new year ahead of us. This time, however, we’re not only embarking on a new year, but we have an entirely new decade in front of us. There is no better time to dream bigger dreams and accomplish your biggest goals. Here are twenty ideas for writers to add to their 2020 New Year’s Resolutions list:

Develop a new mantra.

Oftentimes, the biggest struggle writers have is thinking of themselves as an actual writer. So, begin working a mantra into your daily, morning routine. Example: “I am a writer, and I will regularly devote time to my craft.”

Switch up your genre.

The best way to stretch your abilities is to expand your writing into a new genre. If you typically write science fiction, try historical fiction instead. If you are more comfortable writing fiction, work on a nonfiction project.

Focus on research.

The pre-writing process is just as important as the actual writing process. Spend time developing characters, researching the information that will lend credibility and necessary facts to your writing. For example, if you’ll need to write a scene set in a courtroom, understanding court procedures will be beneficial.

Quit something that isn’t serving you.

Not every idea needs to be finished. If you’re no longer excited about a book project, put it away or quit it altogether. Then, re-devote your time to a new project.

Read more books.

Writers who read become better writers. Set a goal to read at least one book per month and read across different genres. Read books by your favorite author and make notes about what you particularly like about that author’s writing. Begin to incorporate those items into your own writing. 

Keep an inspiration journal.

A blank page can be intimidating, but an inspiration journal can help reduce some of your anxiety. Use your journal to write down sentences or dialogue that randomly come to your mind, favorite quotes, character profiles, and more. 

Learn something new.

Have you always wanted to take a cooking class or learn to paint? Using your mind in new ways can spark your creativity.

Create a data back-up plan.

There’s nothing worse than losing your work and not being able to recover it. No one ever expects their hard drive to crash or that they would lose a flash drive, so develop a back-up plan that includes saving your work to multiple places. Then, decide how often you want to back up your work and stick to the schedule. One of the less exciting resolutions on our list–this one can save you a whole lot of headache!

Build your presence on social media.

In this day and age, social media is incredibly important for all writers. Not only does it provide an opportunity to market your work at no cost, but it’s also a great place to connect with readers and gain new ones.

Focus on self-care.

To be the best writer you can be, you need to be the healthiest version of yourself. Your sleep health, exercise, water intake, and diet all impact your writing.

Make friends with other writers.

Find a writing group in your area or connect with other writers through social media. New writing friends can help keep you on task, help you revise your work, and offer a place to turn when you hit writer’s block.

Get something published.

Submit a short story to a magazine or online journal or self-publish your book. There’s no better feeling than seeing your work and knowing other people will read it.

Set a schedule.

The best way to work writing into your life is to schedule it and make it part of your regular routine. Even if you block off one hour per day, that’s still seven hours of writing each week. Do you know how much writing you could accumulate during seven hours of writing? Even if you only write 500 words per hour, that’s 3,500 words written per week.

Write something that scares you.

Step outside your comfort zone and write something that scares you. It’s not something you need to publish or share with anyone, but knowing you were able to put it down on paper will be a huge accomplishment for you.

Build a website.

Give prospective readers, literary agents, and acquisitions editors a place online to learn more about you, your brand, and your writing.

Take a writing class or attend a writing conference.

All writers can become better writers. Classes and conferences are great ways for writers to expand their writing skills, learn how to better revise their work, and improve their self-editing skills.

Start a blog.

Regularly publishing your writing on a blog helps increase traffic to your website, expands your online reach, and positions you as an expert. A blogging schedule can also help you get more comfortable with a daily writing schedule.

Revise a draft.

The revision process is more important than writing your first draft because it’s when you rearrange material, fill in plot holes, and make overall improvements to your story. Make time to revise your work and don’t rush it. 

Ask for help.

Whether you need a critique partner, beta readers or full book editing, it’s extremely important to ask for help. Writing may feel lonely at times, but it takes a village to make a book really great.

Finish your book!

If you only add one writing goal to your list of New Year’s resolutions, make it this one. At the minimum, write the first draft of your novel this year. 

 

What writing goals are you including in your New Year’s resolutions?

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Making Time to Write During the Holidays

The days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are quite possibly the busiest of the entire year. That means it may be even more difficult to find time to write. Don’t let the holidays throw off your writing routine though. Here are seven ways to continue making time to write during the holiday season.

Make room.

While your calendar may be jam-packed with holiday parties, shopping for gifts, special holiday events, and family time, it’s important to make room in your schedule for your writing.

Identify the best time of day to write.

If you’re an early riser, set your alarm for an hour earlier and use that time to write. If you are more focused during the afternoon, use your lunch break to scribble some words on paper. You night owls can dedicate an extra hour in the evenings to type all the words. It’s more important to identify the time of day you feel most alert and creative. Then, figure out how to squeeze in an hour of writing into that time of day.

Plan it out.

Once you figure out the best time of day to write, make sure to plan writing into your schedule. Keep those appointments with yourself and you’ll be writing through the holiday season without a pause.

Carry a notebook.

By having a notebook on hand, you can write whenever and wherever you want. While I don’t recommend writing in the backseat of the car on the way to Grandma’s house—motion sickness isn’t pleasant—old-fashioned pen and paper provide a lot more opportunities to write on the go. 

Relocate if necessary.

The house can be extra loud and full of distractions during the holidays. If you find that you’re struggling to write at home, pack up your stuff and move to a local coffee shop. If you need complete silence, try the library.

Be flexible.

The holiday season requires a lot of juggling, and some days you may find you really don’t have time to write. Don’t beat yourself up if you have to push your writing time to another day. Being present in the season is just as important as your writing goals.

Utilize the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

When all else fails, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is the quietest week of the holiday season—maybe even the whole year. Use that week to spend some extra time on your writing and start your new year off on the right foot.

What To Write

Unless you are writing on deadline, I don’t recommend devoting your writing time during the holidays to anything super important. Instead, try your hand at one of these three ideas:

A Short Story

Write a short story set during the holidays. When it’s done, you can print copies for family members and friends, you can publish it as an eBook, or you can post it on your blog.

Daily Journaling

The holiday season is filled with all kinds of fun activities and special moments. Journal your favorite Christmas cookie recipe, describe the holiday parties you attend, or include favorite holiday traditions you have with your family. Those pages could become inspiration for a future writing project or even just serve as sweet reminders of Christmases past.

Character Profiles

Instead of writing, use your time during the holidays to do research and build character profiles for your next book project. That way, you’ll be more than ready to start writing a new manuscript in January.

To get started, learn how to write a short story and read more about writing character profiles.

The post Making Time to Write During the Holidays appeared first on Xulon Press Blog, Christian Self-Publishing.

2019 Gift Guide for Writers

The holidays are finally in full swing, and there’s nothing better than finding the perfect gifts for the people in your life. Writers are an eclectic type of people, so we’re here to help you find the best possible gift for the writer, or writers, in your life.

Rocketbook + Erasable Pens

This notebook is perfect for writers who love jotting things down but hate using a ton of paper. The notebook, which comes in a few sizes, contains 36 reusable pages. Simply use a Pilot friction gel pen or marker to write down all the things. Using the Rocketbook app, users can scan and send pages to multiple locations, including Google Drive, OneNote, Evernote, personal email, and more. Then, a damp cloth wipes the pages clean, making them ready to use again.

To Purchase: Rocketbook // Pens

Ember Mug

Whether the writer in your life is a coffee or tea drinker, this mug will change his or her life. Not only can you set your ideal temperature for your drink, but the chargeable mug will keep your drink at that temperature until your last sip.

To Purchase: Ember mug

Cozy Blanket

All those long days and nights poised at the computer during the winter can leave writers craving something cozy and comforting to wrap up in. Gift them a super soft and warm throw to keep them warm all winter.

To Purchase: Sherpa throw

Annual Microsoft Subscription

Gone are the days of purchasing a Microsoft Office CD and installing it on your computer, now users pay an annual or monthly fee for access to Microsoft products. So this year, gift a writer an annual subscription for Microsoft and show him or her you are invested in their writing (literally).

To Purchase: Microsoft Office

Laptop Bag

Writers often cram their writing into every spare moment of their day, which means their laptops travel with them everywhere. A laptop bag is a great gift that helps them take writing essentials with them no matter where they go. Our bag of choice works for both male and female writers, has plenty of storage space for cords, notebooks, and pens, and of course a padded laptop pocket.

To Purchase: Laptop bag

AirPods

Writers are constantly listening to something: audiobooks, podcasts, white noise or their favorite playlist while writing, and more. So, give them the gift of great sound with some Apple AirPods. These are perfect for writers on the go because they are cordless, hold a charge, provide great sound, and have a minimalistic design.

To Purchase: Apple AirPods

Typewriter

Do you know a writer who loves the analog lifestyle? Typewriters are continuing to make a comeback in the writing world, and for good reason. Typewriters allow writers to focus more intensely on their writing without distraction looming. There’s no notifications, email, or online research that can be done when using a typewriter.

To Purchase: Typewriter // Typewriter keyboard

Laptop Stand

No matter where a writer decides to pen the next great American novel, this laptop desk can provide a little extra support. When placed on top of a table, this laptop stand creates a standing desk option. But it can also be used on the couch, in bed, and just about anywhere a writer wants to write.

To Purchase: Laptop stand

Starbucks Gift Card + 2020 Planner

There’s nothing like the feeling of sitting down with a new planner, a cup of coffee, and planning out the new year. Help the writer in your life plan their writing goals for 2020 with a Starbucks gift card and a 2020 planner.

To Purchase: Starbucks // Planner

Subscription to Book of the Month

When a writer isn’t working on their own book, they are often reading. So, what better gift to give them than a monthly book subscription? Giftees get to choose from five books each month, and you, as the gifter, get to choose how many months you gift.

To Purchase: Book of the Month

Editing Services

Do you know a writer who recently finished writing a book? Are they wanting to move forward in the publishing process? Encourage them to fulfill their dream of becoming a published author by purchasing an editorial service for their manuscript. From Manuscript Review, to Critique, to a full edit, investing in editing will help make a writer’s work shine.

To Purchase: Editorial services

We’re curious, what is the best writing-inspired gift you’ve ever received?

The post 2019 Gift Guide for Writers appeared first on Xulon Press Blog, Christian Self-Publishing.

Why Your Writing Project Needs a Deadline

The likelihood of achieving a goal without a deadline is pretty slim. We can continuously punt tasks lacking a due date down the field, and before we know it we’ll have pushed certain goals into the next year. To ensure you reach your writing goals, it’s important to set both small and large deadlines for yourself. Small goal achievements help you feel like you’re making progress, and that deadline to have your book completely written will give you a date on the calendar to work toward.

We all work at our own pace. This month, thousands of people will participate in NaNoWriMo, also known as National Novel Writing Month, and will commit to producing their first draft in just 30 days. Maybe six months or one year feels more comfortable for you. And maybe you’ll need more than one year to complete your first draft. However long you decide to take, setting a reasonable deadline that fits your schedule without stressing you out is where the magic happens.

Here are five reasons why you need a writing deadline:
1. It creates an end goal to reach.

By giving yourself an end goal, you make your writing top of mind. Add your looming due date to your calendar and set reminders during the week to research or write.

2. It helps set expectations.

Not everyone has the ability, time, or energy to write the first draft in 30 days. Setting a realistic deadline helps you keep your personal expectations in check. Stretching yourself to cram writing into every free nook and cranny in your schedule could lead to unnecessary stress and undetectable burnout. So, be honest about what you can complete in a specific time frame.

3. It allows you to set smaller goals.

By setting a final completion date for your first draft, you’ll be able to work backward from that date and set smaller, attainable goals for yourself. If you set a deadline six months from today and a word count you want to achieve by that date, you’ll be able to break down that total word count into how many words you need to write each month, and each week, in order to meet your goal. These smaller goals won’t feel as overwhelming.

4. It keeps you on task.

The great thing about a deadline is it keeps your priorities in check. Your looming deadline may help you decide to sit down and write for two hours instead of turning on the TV for that same period of time.

5. You know when the end is in sight.

The best thing about a deadline is you’ll always have the end in sight. You won’t be wondering when you’ll finish writing your novel, it’ll be a date clearly marked on your calendar.

Do you set writing deadlines for yourself? Can you notice a difference in the projects you set deadlines for the ones you don’t?

Need help with organizing your writing time? Peruse our other blog posts for more tips!

The post Why Your Writing Project Needs a Deadline appeared first on Xulon Press Blog, Christian Self-Publishing.